Offers

Punakha – Paro extended getaway with Chele-La-Pass(7 Nights)

Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Paro

for Off-Beat Traveller, Family Traveller, Heritage Traveller

Holiday Overview

Rinpung Dzong - Photo Courtesy Cfynn
Drugyel Dzong Photo Courtesy Pradyot
Punakha Dzong - Photo Courtesy Lohen11
Chimi Lhakhang (Photo Courtesy: amanderson2)
The National Memorial Chorten (Nivalink Trip Dated - 26 March 2008)
Tashichho Dzong Monastery (Photo Courtesy: Christopher J. Fynn)
Tashichho Dzong (Photo Courtesy: Christopher J. Fynn)
Inside of Tashichho Dzong

Bhutan’s big shows are its Dzongs and festivals but don’t overlook the charm of the country’s smaller, less visited monasteries, mountain passes and temples.

Route

Thimphu(1) - Punakha(2) - Paro(4)

Summarised Itinerary
  • Day-1 Paro Airport – Thimphu Sightseeing
  • Day-2 Thimphu – Punakha/Wangdue Sightseeing
  • Day-3 Excursion to Gangtey (Phobjikha)
  • Day-4 Punakha/Wangdue – Paro
  • Day-5 Paro Sightseeing
  • Day-6 Excursion to Taktshang Monastery
  • Day-7 Excursion to Chele-La-Pass
  • Day-8 Departure
Sightseeing Summary

Paro - Ta Dzong - National Museum (1.00 kms), Rinpung Dzong (1.60 kms), Kyichu Temple (5.00 kms), Taktshang Hermitage - Tigers Nest (10.00 kms), Drugyel Dzong (17.00 kms), Chele La Pass (37.00 kms), The National Memorial Chorten (50.00 kms), Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu (55.00 kms)

Punakha - Punakha Dzong (1.00 kms), Chimi Lhakhang in Punakha (30.00 kms)

Thimphu - Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu (4.50 kms), The National Memorial Chorten (5.00 kms), Dochu La Pass Thimphu (23.00 kms), Chimi Lhakhang in Punakha (65.00 kms), Punakha Dzong (73.00 kms)

Preferred Arrival /Departure Destination
Arrival - Paro Departure - Paro
Best Season to Travel
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Distances
  • Paro to Thimphu -65 kms (1 hrs)
  • Thimphu to Punakha -80 kms (3 hrs)
  • Punakha to Paro -145 kms (4 hrs)
Route

Paro - Thimphu(1) - Punakha(2) - Paro(4)

Detailed Itinerary

Day-1 Paro Airport – Thimphu Sightseeing Arrival at Paro Airport and transfer to Thimphu - Afternoon start for half day Thimphu sightseeing consist of Kuensel Phodrang (Buddha Statue), King's (National) Memorial Chorten - This Chorten was built in 1974 in a typical Tibetan style. Tashichho Dzong (Fortress of the Glorious Religion) - Buddhist monastery and fortress on the northern edge of the city of Thimphu in Bhutan.

Day-2 Thimphu – Punakha/Wangdue Sightseeing After breakfast drive to Punakha / Wangdue, On the way Stop at Dochu-La-Pass - it offers a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of Himalayan mountain range. Visit Punakha Dzong - built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck convened the first National Assembly here in 1952. Visit the Chhimi Lhakhang - The Temple, also known as “The Temple of Fertility” was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley, “The Divine Mad Man”.

Day-3 Excursion to Gangtey (Phobjikha) Start your day with trip to Gangtey (9,840 ft.) which is a vast U-shaped glacial valley also known as Phobjika Valley. You can also visit Gangtey Gompha and return in evening.

Day-4 Punakha/Wangdue – Paro Leave for Paro, enroute stop to visit Royal Botanical Park - The park contains a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna and features a huge species of plants. Explore Paro on foot in evening.

Day-5 Paro Sightseeing Start full day sightseeing covering Ta Dzong - National Museum with an excellent collection of Bhutanese antiquities and Rinpung Dzong - the administrative seat of the district of Paro. Also see Drukgyel Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang - one of the oldest Buddist temples in Bhutan.

Day-6 Excursion to Taktshang Monastery Visit famous Taktsang Monastery - called “Tiger's Nest” (2 hrs hike from the base camp).

Day-7 Excursion to Chele-La-Pass Day excursion to Chele-La-Pass (13,088 ft.) – The Chele La Pass is one of the highest vantage points in Bhutan, from which you can marvel at commanding views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains and valleys while the Himalayan yaks grazing in the horizon and return back to Paro.

Day-8 Departure Leave for your journey back home.

Detailed Sightseeing

Paro :

  • Ta Dzong - National Museum - Ta Dzong is a circular fortress that once protected this valley from the Tibetan invasion. It is now the National Museum with an excellent collection of Bhutanese antiquities.

  • Rinpung Dzong - Rinpung Dzong is a impressive structure built in 1646 and is the administrative seat containing a monastic community of about 200 members.

  • Kyichu Temple - Kyichu temple, ten minutes drive from Paro and is one of the oldest temples in the country dating as far back as the 7th century. H

  • Taktshang Hermitage - Tigers Nest - Taktshang Hermitage (also known as Tigers Nest) lies on the face of a 1000 m cliff. The place is highly sacred to the Bhutanese in that they believe Guru Rinpoche, the father of Bhutanese Buddhism landed here on the back of a tigress

  • Drugyel Dzong - Drugyel Dzong was built in 1647 and offers stunning views of the Mount Jumolhari (7314 meters or 24000 ft) on a clear day.

  • Chele La Pass - Chele la (pass) at an elevation 13000 ft asl is considered to be one of the highest motorable passes in Bhutan. About an hour's drive from Paro as it passes through lush valleys, pine and rhododendron forest. The pass provides stunning views of the sacred mountain Jomolhari and Jichu Drake

  • The National Memorial Chorten - The National Memorial Chorten is a stupa where locals do their evening prayers. The stupa was built in 1974 in memory of the third king.

  • Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu - Tashichho Dzong also known as the 'Fortress of the religious' is a Buddhist monastery and fortress on the edge of the city of Thimphu and lies on the western bank of Wang Chu River. Tashichho Dzong has traditionally been the seat of the Dharma Raja and now houses the government since 1952 and the central monk body.

Punakha :

  • Punakha Dzong - Punakha Dzong is a prominent landmark of Punakha and offers views of the riverside. The Dzong houses the sacred relics of the southern Drukpa Kagyu school including the Rangjung Kasarpani, and the sacred remains of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Terton Padma Lingpa.

  • Chimi Lhakhang in Punakha - Chimi Lhakhang is a Buddhist monastery in Punakha built in 1499 by the 14th Drupka hierarch, after being blessed by “Divine Madman” saint Drupka Kunley.

Thimphu :

  • Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu - Tashichho Dzong also known as the 'Fortress of the religious' is a Buddhist monastery and fortress on the edge of the city of Thimphu and lies on the western bank of Wang Chu River. Tashichho Dzong has traditionally been the seat of the Dharma Raja and now houses the government since 1952 and the central monk body.

  • The National Memorial Chorten - The National Memorial Chorten is a stupa where locals do their evening prayers. The stupa was built in 1974 in memory of the third king.

  • Dochu La Pass Thimphu - Dochu La Pass is at an elevation of 10334 ft and is located on the way to Punakha from Thimpu with an overlooking view of the snow covered Himalayas. Over here, 108 memorial chortens / stupas known as “Druk Wangyal Chortens” have been built in memory of the Bhutanese soldiers who were killed in 2003 war. On a clear day, one can see the Eastern Himalayas with 7 mountain peaks including Gangkar Punsum (Bhutan's highest peak).

  • Chimi Lhakhang in Punakha - Chimi Lhakhang is a Buddhist monastery in Punakha built in 1499 by the 14th Drupka hierarch, after being blessed by “Divine Madman” saint Drupka Kunley.

  • Punakha Dzong - Punakha Dzong is a prominent landmark of Punakha and offers views of the riverside. The Dzong houses the sacred relics of the southern Drukpa Kagyu school including the Rangjung Kasarpani, and the sacred remains of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Terton Padma Lingpa.

Destination Overview

Thimphu - Thimphu is capital city of Bhutan and one of the most visited destinations of Bhutan. Thimphu is a city offering an old world charm of a Himalayan Kingdom alongwith Monasteries, museums and a distinct heritage character.

Punakha - Punakha Valley is a riverside town and rice bowl of Bhutan and is renowned for the countryside character it offers.

Paro - The beautiful Paro valley provides a visitor with all the essential elements of Bhutan in general. Ancient temples, massive forts, monasteries, picturesque villages, scenic hikes, and drives. Zhiwa Ling is in close proximity to the many attractions the Paro valley has to offer

Access
Prefered Arrival : No ImageParo
Prefered Departure : No ImageParoNo ImageFalakata(205kms), Siliguri(300kms)
Distances
  • Paro to Thimphu -65 kms (1 hrs)
  • Thimphu to Punakha -80 kms (3 hrs)
  • Punakha to Paro -145 kms (4 hrs)

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Travel Ideas incorporated in the itinerary

Lines indicate the best available driving routes.
Arrows indicate connectivity other than Road (e.g. Waterways or Air).
Please click on the markers for more detailed Information.

Distances
  • Paro to Thimphu -65 kms (1 hrs)
  • Thimphu to Punakha -80 kms (3 hrs)
  • Punakha to Paro -145 kms (4 hrs)

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